Holy Family Parish

Dear Parishioner/s,

On Wednesday, February 17th we begin the Season of Lent. For centuries, it has been a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Even though this year's Lent will be different due to Covid-19, I would like to offer to you some ideas or resources for spiritual growth and enrichment.

On Friday evenings at 7 pm, we will have Stations of the Cross. On Wednesday evenings, 7pm I will have presentations on the book by Adam Hamilton: "24 Hours That Changed the World". Both Stations of the Cross and the lectures will be in the church. Social distancing and wearing masks will be required.

For those who are still careful with public worship I would like to offer some resources for Lent as well. In the gathering area or at the parish office, you can pick up "The Little Black Book" (mediations on the Sunday Gospels of Lent).

If you are comfortable with use of internet or social media, you can subscribe to daily Lenten reflections by following authors: At BestLentEver.com you can subscribe to journeys through Matthew Kelly's latest book, I Heard God Laugh: A Practical Guide to Life's Essential Daily Habit. If you are familiar with Bishop Barron and Word on Fire projects, you can subscribe to daily Gospel reflections by Bishop Barron at: www.lentreflections.com. I hope that these authors will help you to have a fruitful and holy Lenten season.

Just a friendly reminder about Fast and Abstinence during Lenten Season:

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent ar obligatory days of abstinence.

For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.

The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. (www.usccb.org)

Also remember that this year on Ash Wednesday we will be sprinkling ashes on the heads.

Have a blessed Lent,

Fr. Martin